'It's exciting' - Sky Sports pundit gives view on 'massive' Bristol City takeover bid

Bristol City have made a fast start to the new Championship season and things could yet reach a new level for the Ashton Gate club under Gerhard Struber.

The Robins sit third in the league table despite having currently played a game less than their rivals at the time of writing, with second place up for grabs if they can win against struggling Oxford United on Sunday afternoon at 15:00 BST.

There has been further good news for all associated with the club in recent days as reports have emerged that Saudi Arabian boxing promoter and businessman Turki Alalshikh is considering a major takeover of the Robins, snubbing Championship rivals Sheffield Wednesday in the process. Though Bristol Sport Group CEO and club director Gavin Marshall went on record to say that the claims are “purely speculation” at this stage.

The Lansdown family have done a great job in consolidating the club as a solid Championship outfit but have expressed in the past their willingness to sell if the right buyer came in. According to Sky Sports EFL pundit Lee Hendrie, this potential new investment could be exactly what Bristol City need as a club.

Takeover could be ‘extra push’ for Bristol City - Hendrie

Hendrie told Football League World of the takeover news: "This could be massive for Bristol City, particularly if this happens and the investments are there. I think it's a very stable football club behind the scenes, training ground, I know they've invested money.

"I think it's been a football club that has probably been stood still for quite some time now. They had a really good season last season getting into the play-offs, but I think when you have potential investors that can maybe come on board and take them to the next level, it's exciting.”

Hendrie added that the takeover could be the catalyst for another sustained challenge at the top end of the table, as the club look to secure a place in the top six for the second successive season.

"I feel like that club has the fanbase, has a relatively good squad at the moment. I just think it might need that extra push that gives them a bit more of an opportunity to really go and secure a play-off spot,” he said.

"I do feel this league is wide open at the moment and an investor of that calibre might just be massive for Bristol City.”

The Championship promotion race could be wide open this season

If the signs in the early weeks of the season are anything to go by, Hendrie may be right that this Championship season could be as wide open as any when it comes to who may be challenging for promotion come the spring.

Middlesbrough have been the early pace-setters after five wins and a draw from six, while Bristol City and surprise packages such as Stoke City and Preston North End are not too far behind.

Pre-season favourites Ipswich Town and Southampton are dwelling in the bottom half of the table, while Leicester City have made a solid start without truly capturing the imagination. Birmingham City are closing in on the top six thanks to a couple of late winning goals.

With all this in mind, the reality is that if Bristol City can maintain their strong start to the season they could be in with an outside shout of promotion. With parachute payment sides struggling, this could be the best chance the Robins have had since 2008 to finally reach the Premier League. If the thoughts of Hendrie are to prove true, a takeover by Alalshikh and some extra investment could make all the difference.